Note 10 — Invasion Panics.
Reading edition
The following letter, addressed by a subaltern to his commanding officer, is given by the editor of the Cornwallis Papers, as a specimen of the habits, education and discipline of the British army about the year 1800:—
“To Lieut.-Col. ——, — Foot.
“Sir,—I believe (I am a member of the —— mess), if so, I will take the liberty to submit the following argument, viz., every gentleman under the immediate propensity of liquor has different propensities; to prove which, I have only to mention the present instance with respect to myself and Lieut. ——. My propensity is noise and riot—his sleep.
“I ever conceived that in a public mess-room, three things were certain: first, that it was open to every officer who chose to pay the subscription; second, that he might indulge himself with liquor as much as he pleased; and third, that if a gentleman and a member of the mess chose to get intoxicated in the mess-room, that no other officer (however high his rank in the regiment) had a right, or dare order to restrain (not being president) his momentary propensity in the mess-room.
“As such, and this being the case, I must inform you that you have acted in a most unprecedented and unknown (not to say ungentlemanlike) way, in presuming to enter the mess-room as a commanding officer, and to bring a sentry at your back (which you asserted you had) to turn out the amusement (a hand organ) of the company (a stranger being present), and thereby prevent the harmony which it is supposed ought to exist in a mess-room.
“I appeal to you as a gentleman, and if you will answer this letter as such, you at all times know how to direct to
“—— ——, “Lieut. ——, — Foot.”